Core Beliefs and Religious Practices
As
agreed upon by the founding members of the Coven of the Desert Muse
2004
Updated by Founding Clergy As Necessary
On
Deity
For religious and ritual
purposes, Divinity is seen as dual male and female
polarities, giving primary ritual focus to the tri-fold
feminine as Maiden Mother Crone during both Moons and
Sabbats. With respectful acknowledgment during moons and
exaltation to the masculine as lover / husband / son and
divine self sacrifice in seasonal observances.
Note that we typically use no specific names for
Goddess and God during Ritual (as all Gods are one God /
Creative Source )
the Priest or Priestess may
use multiple names for invocational emphasis but most often
use the terms Lord and Lady or simply God and Goddess.
On the 3 fold Law and the Rede
We do not
accept that the 3 fold law is a literal description for the
universal law of cause and effect. We do however agree that
the law of return exists and is unavoidable and that we should be ever
mindful of our deeds, for they shape and draw to us the
lessons that we must face in this life.
We do not
accept the notion of Karmic retribution or literal
punishment dealt by the spirit world for acts perceived as harmful
or unlawful.
Instead viewing trials and struggles as lessons and
opportunities to grow through self shaped and yet sometimes
painful introspect and challenge.
Though we
share a common Wiccan base of training and practice, a
notable percentage of our members do not consider themselves
Wiccan per say, however do follow a positive lawful code of
ethics.
After
weighing the possible effects, and perhaps seeking the
council of our elders and peers, should we decide to
proceed upon a course of action, we take full responsibility for our actions and
any resulting consequences. As well as the consequences of those actions taken by others with
regards to the role that we played through any
participation.
We believe that energy can
neither be created nor destroyed, it only changes form. That
the soul or energetic spirit inherent in all things is made up of this
energy and so can likely be "reincarnated" in another life
form.
The High Priestess is the
head of the coven.
The High Priest's primary duties are to provide support to the
High Priestess and
to protect the integrity of the Coven and its members.
Other qualified Priests and
Priestesses will serve the Coven in Ritual leadership roles
and as teachers and counselors to the extended membership as
well as preparing rituals and Sabbat functions along with
working Center in turn.
-
Initiate cross-gender,
observing at least the traditional year and a day from
Dedication to Initiation unless the postulant has prior
experience in a related or similar tradition;
-
HP & HPS Draw down the moon and sun
at the Full Moons and other occasions.
-
Call the 4 quarters as non
defined Spiritual emissaries relating to the life supporting
elements and their correspondences
-
Use specific names for
Goddess and God during Ritual at the discretion of the
Clergy member working Center Circle.
-
Position the altar in the
center and orient the North for Sabbats and to the East, the
place of the rising Moon, for Esbats;
-
Recognize the central altar
as a place holder "universal source"
Spirit/Void/Becoming/Gateway Between Worlds
-
Move Deosil "Pronounced
Jesil" when casting
Circle and Widdershins for releasing the Circle boundaries;
-
Go robed for group ritual
or skyclad for private functions at the individual Dedicant
or 1st thru 2nd degree Initiate's discretion.
-
Memorize all invocations
and related liturgy
-
Perform the Great Rite
symbolically by the use of Lance and Grail
-
The wearing of black robes
is limited to members of Clergy only.
-
Robe & Cord Colors =
Dedicate "1st Year" = White / 1st Degree Initiate
= Brown / 2nd Degree Adept = Green / 3rd Degree Priest or Priestess = Red
or Black
